Charlton Athletic 5 AFC Wimbledon 2

That was a much better feeling wasn’t it?

It was so enjoyable to watch us attack like that in the 2nd half. We played with great tempo, got the ball out wide quickly, and into the box often. We looked really dangerous everytime we got into their final third and all in front of a noisy Covered End.

The first half was okay, I thought. No better, no worse. Still a bit ponderous, the back four are still prone to errors, and we were looking for the ball to fall as opposed to making things happen. In saying that Washington made a goal out of nothing scoring a very good goal following an inch perfect pass from Pearce to give us a lead.

Then it was a crazy gang last five minutes when out of nowhere Wimbledon led at the break. Thoughts at half-time were how we were going to break them down with the no doubt upcoming delaying tactics plus the Dons did carry a threat in Sedden, Longman, Rudoni and Pigott, who has scored 9 games so far this season.

However we started the half on the front foot. Watson had a fierce shot saved and The Valley was in fine voice. Then two entries from the bench. Bogle was ineffective, only making any kind of contribution out wide but the ball rarely stuck to him. Aneke replaced him, and my personal jury is out on Gilbey as he left the field for Johnny Vengeance.

Chuks made an immediate impact getting himself into forewarning positions with Maddison influential and JFC sewing the pieces together. Williams was right into the action too, but it was Gunter who overlapping at will on the right side who was causing the most havoc.

He was involved in two goals in two minutes as first JFC clattered in an Aneke cross after good work from Watson, and then Jonny Williams making a Bowyer-like run into the box, thrashed home a second after Gunter crossed the ball into him. That Jonny smile 😀. Got to love it.

Would we sit back at that point? We were less gung-ho and replaced Maddison with Purrington allowing Maatsen to roam Gunter-like on the left wing, but we were not finished with Aneke getting his fully deserved goal after he pounced on an error to sweep home left footed allowing us that always welcome breathing space.

Then in injury time Purrington added his name to the list of sub scorers as we piled into the box, Williams hit the post but Purrington snuck in the rebound. Game over.

Smiles and a beautiful Valley noise all around then with it hard to pick out a man of the match but Washington, JFC, Gunter, Maatsen, Williams, Aneke all praiseworthy but a special mention for Maddison who added graft to obvious creativity.

🗯. “What I do notice (about Aneke) is he makes more of an impact off the bench. As long as we can keep him fit I don’t mind if he starts or comes off the bench.”
📸. K_AndrewsPhotos
🔜. Bristol Rovers (h)